U.S. patent number 7,104,610 [Application Number 10/962,110] was granted by the patent office on 2006-09-12 for apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Marken International, Inc.. Invention is credited to David A. Cramer.
United States Patent |
7,104,610 |
Cramer |
September 12, 2006 |
Apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus for mounting a
wheelchair back that provides a high degree of support and
adjustability such that it can be used with wheelchairs that
originate from a wide variety of different manufacturers. In order
to provide this custom fit, the present invention provide for depth
adjustability, height adjustability and angle adjustability of a
wheelchair back. The present invention also provides the
convenience of a quick-release wheelchair back so that the
wheelchair occupant can easily remove the back of the wheelchair
from the canes so that the wheelchair can be collapsed and stored.
The present mounting system also provides for an effective two
point mounting system that is reliable yet simple to use.
Inventors: |
Cramer; David A. (Hartland,
WI) |
Assignee: |
Marken International, Inc.
(Bozeman, MT)
|
Family
ID: |
36144529 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/962,110 |
Filed: |
October 8, 2004 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20060076815 A1 |
Apr 13, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/440.2;
248/230.1; 297/354.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61G
5/12 (20130101); A61G 5/1067 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47C
7/40 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;297/440.2,440.21,353,354.11,354.12,383,408,410 ;248/229.1,230.1
;403/53-55,59,61,63 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Brown; Peter R.
Assistant Examiner: Edell; Joseph
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Heino; Joseph S. Bergin; Patrick
M.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back to the cane of a
wheelchair comprising: an inner cane clamp having a first set of
tapped apertures and a second set of tapped apertures; an outer
cane clamp having a set of apertures; a pair of cane clamp bolts
inserted through the first set of tapped apertures in the inner
cane clamp and the apertures in the outer cane clamp to tighten the
inner and outer cane clamps around the cane of the wheelchair; a
vertical track attached to the wheelchair back; an angle adjustment
stud having an angle adjustment track; a dual back clamper having a
first track inset permitting sliding attachment to the wheelchair
back and a second track inset permitting sliding attachment to the
angle adjustment track; a cane clamp bracket being attached to the
inner cane clamp, the cane clamp bracket providing an aperture, the
aperture of the cane clamp bracket accommodating the angle
adjustment stud; and the cane clamp bracket also including a set of
apertures through which bolts are inserted into the inner cane
clamp to tighten the cane clamp bracket against the inner cane
clamp, thus immobilizing the angle adjustment stud.
2. The apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back of claim 1 further
comprising an aperture in the dual back clamper; a quick-release
cam lock inserted through the aperture of the dual back clamper and
being used to releasably secure the angle adjustment track to the
dual back clamper thus preventing the relative motion of the angle
adjustment track in relation to the dual back clamper.
3. The apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back of claim 1 further
comprising a plurality of safety stops, the safety stops being
designed to prevent the motion of a wheelchair back in the event
the quick release mechanism fails.
4. An apparatus for mounting a rigid wheelchair back to a
wheelchair, the wheelchair having a seat and a pair of upright
vertical posts, or canes on either side of the seat, the apparatus
comprising: an inner cane clamp having a first set of tapped
apertures and a second set of tapped apertures; an outer cane clamp
having a set of apertures; a pair of cane clamp bolts inserted
through the first set of tapped apertures in the inner cane clamp
and the apertures in the outer cane clamp to tighten the inner and
outer cane clamps; an angle adjustment stud having a length of
track; a cane clamp bracket being attached to the inner cane clamp,
the cane clamp bracket providing an aperture, the aperture of the
cane clamp bracket accommodating the angle adjustment stud; the
cane clamp bracket also including a set of apertures through which
bolts are inserted into the inner cane clamp to tighten the cane
clamp bracket against the inner cane clamp, thus immobilizing the
angle adjustment stud; a vertically oriented track; and a dual back
clamper having a first track inset being slidably attached to the
vertical track, the dual back clamper also having a bolt for
securing the dual back clamper to a particular level on the
vertical track and a second track inset permitting slidable
attachment to the length of track on the angle adjustment
track.
5. The apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back of claim 4 further
comprising an aperture in the dual back clamper; a quick-release
cam lock inserted through the aperture of the dual back clamper and
being used to releasably secure the angle adjustment track to the
dual back clamper thus preventing the relative motion of the angle
adjustment track in relation to the dual back clamper.
6. The apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back of claim 4 further
comprising a plurality of safety stops, the safety stops being
designed to prevent the motion of a wheelchair back in the event
the quick release mechanism fails.
7. An apparatus for mounting a rigid wheelchair back to a
wheelchair, the wheelchair having a seat and a pair of upright
vertical posts, or canes on either side of the seat, the apparatus
comprising: an inner cane clamp having a first set of tapped
apertures and a second set of tapped apertures; an outer cane clamp
having a set of apertures; a pair of cane clamp bolts inserted
through the first set of tapped apertures in the inner cane clamp
and the apertures in the outer cane clamp to tighten the inner and
outer cane clamps; an angle adjustment stud generally comprising a
rounded stud, the rounded stud being inserted through a passage in
the inner and outer cane clamps and further being attached to a
length of track; a cane clamp bracket being attached to the inner
cane clamp, the cane clamp bracket providing an aperture, the
aperture of the cane clamp bracket accommodating the angle
adjustment stud; the cane clamp bracket also including a set of
apertures through which bolts are inserted into the inner cane
clamp to tighten the cane clamp bracket against the inner cane
clamp, thus immobilizing the angle adjustment stud; a dual back
clamper having a first track inset and a second track inset
permitting the sliding attachment to the length of track on the
angle adjustment stud permitting horizontal, or nearly horizontal,
motion of the wheelchair back; and a track attachable to a
wheelchair back for accommodating the first track inset of the dual
back clamper and permitting motion in a vertical orientation.
8. The apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back of claim 7 further
comprising an aperture in the dual back clamper; a quick-release
cam lock inserted through the aperture of the dual back clamper and
being used to releasably secure the angle adjustment track to the
dual back clamper thus preventing the relative motion of the angle
adjustment track in relation to the dual back clamper.
9. The apparatus for mounting a wheelchair back of claim 7 further
comprising a plurality of safety stops, the safety stops being
designed to prevent the motion of the wheelchair back in the event
the quick release mechanism fails.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to wheelchairs and more
specifically to adjustable wheelchair backs. In even more detail,
the present invention relates to a device for mounting a wheelchair
back to the upright canes of a wheelchair that provides smooth,
non-incremental adjustability in three dimensions. The mounting
apparatus of the present invention is also adjustable so as to
precisely fit a wide variety of existing wheelchairs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
People requiring wheelchairs include those affected with cerebral
palsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, head injuries, etc.
These individuals often suffer from kyphosis, scoliosis, lordosis
and other back ailments. One of the most common complaints of
wheelchair occupants is that of pain related to their use of a
wheelchair. Unfortunately, at least some of the problems faced by
wheelchair users are further exacerbated by the failure of current
back system designs to properly position a wheelchair occupant.
One problem with current back systems is that they are difficult to
install and to remove. Disabled users may need to remove and
install the wheelchair back to collapse the wheelchair for storage,
such as when the user enters and exits a motor vehicle.
Yet another problem with current back systems is the wide
variability between commercially available wheelchairs. In
particular, the upright posts of the wheelchair, or canes, often
differ in configuration between wheelchairs. Specifically, in the
inventor's experience, the canes may vary in diameter between
0.75'' to 1.125''. Additionally, the center to center distance of
the canes may vary .+-.1'' despite the manufacturer's designation.
Frequently, the canes may not be perfectly vertical.
An additional problem with current wheelchair back systems is that
they are not adaptable to all wheelchairs. For example, some
wheelchairs, particularly those for persons having more active
lifestyles, have short canes. Therefore, there is little area in
which to attach a wheelchair back, which may mean that wheelchair
occupants who pursue a more active lifestyle may not be able to
take advantage of the positioning benefits offered by a wheelchair
having an adjustable back. For example, wheelchairs for patients
with special needs often have pneumatic cylinders and/or brake
cables that limit the space required for mounting a back adequate
to treat the particular patient. Frequently, therapist are required
to mount the back support in the way it will fit, as opposed to the
optimum fit for a particular user, potentially causing additional
injuries to the patient. Additionally, wheelchair occupants,
needing their hands for mobility, have little capacity for carrying
cargo. Therefore, another problem with current wheelchair back
designs is that they leave little room for mounting other carrier
accessories such as bags.
Another disadvantage of current wheelchair back systems is that
they provide limited adjustability for people of different sizes,
shapes and physical needs. For example, a simple sling style
wheelchair back provides almost no adjustability. Other wheelchair
backs require a four point mounting system, which occupies lots of
space along the wheelchair canes as well as limiting the ability of
a therapist to position the wheelchair back. Additionally, some
wheelchair backs provide limited adjustability, e.g. the wheelchair
back can move vertically but has no seat depth adjustment, or the
wheelchair back has seat depth adjustment but no angle
adjustment.
Therefore, what is needed is a wheelchair back mounting apparatus
that is adaptable to wheelchairs having canes with varying
diameters and being a wide variety of widths. There is also a need
for a wheelchair back mounting apparatus that takes up less space
on the wheelchair canes so as to permit the attachment of other
items, such as bags. There is also a need to provide a wheelchair
back mounting device that provides a wide variety of adjustability
so eliminate comprising the users positioning requirements and that
it can position all shapes and sizes of people. Lastly, there is a
need to provide a wheelchair back that is quickly and easily
removable such that the wheelchair back can be removed, and the
wheelchair collapsed and stored.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus for mounting a
wheelchair back that provides a high degree of support and
adjustability such that it can be used with wheelchairs that
originate from a wide variety of different manufacturers. This
adjustability is also beneficial to the occupant of the wheelchair,
as the adjustability can provide a wide variety of people having
different shapes and sizes with a more custom fit. In order to
provide this custom fit, the present invention provide for depth
adjustability, height adjustability and angle adjustability of a
wheelchair back.
The present invention also provides the convenience of a
quick-release wheelchair back so that the wheelchair occupant can
easily remove the back of the wheelchair from the canes so that the
wheelchair can be collapsed and stored.
The present mounting system also provides for an effective two
point mounting system that is reliable yet simple to use. The
mounting system of the present invention provides a high degree of
adjustability with respect to the angle that it can be inclined,
particularly with respect to four-point mounting systems.
Additionally, use of a two-point mounting system is particularly
important with wheelchairs having short canes, such as those used
by more active individuals, as it leaves room for other wheelchair
accessories.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of the mounting apparatus disclosed
in the present application.
FIG. 2 shows a close in view of the mounting apparatus disclosed in
the present application.
FIG. 3 shows a side view of the angle adjustment means of the
mounting apparatus and the track system for use in depth adjustment
of the wheelchair back.
FIG. 4 shows a front view of the angle adjustment means of the
mounting apparatus and the track system for use in depth adjustment
of the wheelchair back.
FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the angle adjustment
bracket.
FIG. 6 is a top elevational view of the angle adjustment
bracket.
FIG. 7 is a side and bottom perspective view of the angle
adjustment bracket.
FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of the inner cane clamp.
FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the inner cane clamp.
FIG. 10 is a back and side perspective view of the inner cane
clamp.
FIG. 11 is a top elevational view of the outer cane clamp.
FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the outer cane clamp.
FIG. 13 is a top and side perspective view of the outer cane
clamp.
FIG. 14 is a side, front and top perspective view of the safety
stop.
FIG. 15 is a top elevational view of the safety stop.
FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of the safety stop.
FIG. 17 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the present
invention that employs a cam-lock quick release mechanism.
FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of the cam-lock quick release
mechanism.
FIG. 19 is a side, front and top perspective view of the dual back
clamp.
FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of the dual back clamp.
FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the dual back clamp.
FIG. 22 is a right side elevational view of the dual back
clamp.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Now referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numbered
elements correspond to like elements throughout, FIG. 1 shows an
exploded view of the Compass.TM. mounting system or apparatus,
generally identified 1, used to secure a wheelchair back 3 to a
wheelchair cane 5. In slightly more detail, FIG. 1 shows the
T-stock height adjustment 11, the back dual clamper 21, the cane
clamp angle adjustment bracket 31, the inner cane clamp 41, the
outer cane clamp 51, the angle adjustment stud 71, and the safety
stop 81. FIG. 2 provides a closer view of the mounting system 1 as
it would be when assembled and mounted to a wheelchair back 3.
Although no particular wheelchair cane 5 is shown in FIG. 1, the
Compass.TM. mounting system 1 can be used to secure a wheelchair
back to wheelchairs with cane diameters ranging from 0.75''
1.125''. Additionally, the compass mount system 1 requires only two
(2) inches of cane length to be securely mounted to the wheelchair
cane 5. This is especially advantageous in the case of wheelchairs
having telescopic wheelchair canes 5, as the strongest point of the
telescoping wheelchair cane 5 is at the base of the cane 5.
Now referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 which show the inner cane clamp
41 in detail, it will be seen that the inner cane clamp 41 can
generally be described as having a base 43 having a first set and a
second set of tapped apertures 45, 46, respectively, therethrough.
The base 43 curves inwardly to form a narrower curved neck section
47 extending from the base 43. The neck section 47 has an inner
radius 49 for contacting a wheelchair cane 5. The radius 49 is
actually a double-hump radius in that it has an outer section
accommodating a cane radius of up 1'' and an inner radius
accommodating a cane radius of 0.875''. An additional feature of
the inner cane clamp 41 is the rounded inset 44 which will be
discussed in more detail later in this detailed description.
Complementary to the inner cane clamp 41 is the outer cane clamp 51
as shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13. The outer cane clamp 51 can
generally be described as having a curved base portion 53 which
fits around the curved base 43 of the inner cane clamp 41. The
outer cane clamp 51 also has a narrower neck portion 57 having a
curved inner radius 59 for contacting a wheelchair cane 5. The
radius 59 is actually a double-hump radius in that it has an outer
section accommodating a cane radius of up 1'' and an inner radius
accommodating a cane radius of 0.875''. An additional feature of
the outer cane clamp 51 is the rounded inset 54 which will be
discussed later in this detailed description.
It is to be understood that a pair of cane clamp screws, as shown
in FIG. 1, are to be inserted through the first set of apertures 45
in the inner cane clamp 41 and through the set of apertures 55 in
the outer cane clamp 51. The cane clamp screws can be tightened to
provide compression to a wheelchair cane 5. The Compass.TM.
mounting system 1 is thus held in place on the wheelchair cane 5 by
pressure exerted by tightening of the screws.
Now referring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, which show the cane clamp angle
adjustment bracket 31 in detail, the angle adjustment bracket 31 is
attached to the inner cane clamp 41 via a pair of adjustment
screws, as shown in FIG. 1, that are inserted through the passages
33 and are tightened into the second set of tapped apertures 46 of
the inner cane clamp 41. The angle adjustment bracket 31 has an
arched inset 34 that is disposed generally opposite to the arched
insets 44, 54 of the inner cane clamp 41 and the outer cane clamp
51, respectively.
Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, which show the angle adjustment
stud 71, the device used for angle adjustment of the wheelchair
back 3. The angle adjustment stud 71 can generally be considered to
be comprised of two parts. First, there is a length of round stock
73. The length of round stock 73 is attached to a T-stock 77. The
round stock 73 fits into the passage created by the inset archway
34 in the cane clamp angle adjustment bracket 31 and the
complementary inset archways 44, 54 in the inner and outer cane
clamps 41, 51, respectively. The angle adjustment screws are
inserted through the passages 33 in the angle adjustment bracket 31
and are used to secure the round stock 73 in the passage created by
the inset archways, 34, 44 in the cane clamp angle adjustment
bracket 31 and the inner cane clamp 41, respectively.
The round stock 73 provides adjustment means for wheelchairs of
differing widths. More specifically, the round stock 73 provides a
means for extension in the form of a tapped aperture 75. The tapped
aperture 75 permits the addition of a second length of round stock,
thus permitting use of a wider wheelchair back 3.
As previously mentioned, the length of round stock 73 is attached
to a piece of T-stock 77. The piece of T-stock 73 includes a track
77 and can be any particular embodiment of sliding rail or track,
which is well known in the art. The T-stock track 77 is in physical
connection with the first inset track acceptor 23 on the back dual
clamper 21. See FIGS. 19 through 22. The back dual clamper 21 is so
called because it contains a first inset track acceptor 23 and a
second inset track acceptor 25. The first inset track acceptor 23
and the second inset track acceptor 25 are at right angles to one
another. The first inset track acceptor 23 mates with the T-stock
track 77 on the angle adjustment stud 71. The second inset track
acceptor 25 mates with the T-stock track 11. Therefore, the back
dual clamper 21 provides two directions of adjustment. Although a
T-stock track 77 is used, other types of track are also acceptable
for use with the invention. The requirements of the track 77 are
that it simply include linear motion in one dimension.
In application, the depth of the wheelchair back 3 in relation to
the wheelchair seat is quickly and easily adjustable via a
quick-release cam-lock 91 which is inserted through the aperture 29
in the back dual clamper 21 and tightened against a nut (not shown)
on the other side of the back dual clamper 21. The back dual
clamper has a relief, or slotted aperture 22 that permits the quick
release 91 to clamp the back dual clamper on the T-stock track 77.
See FIG. 18. The quick-release cam lock 91 permits a wheelchair
occupant or health care provider to quickly release the clamp on
the T-stock track 77 in order to adjust the depth of the wheelchair
back 3. Additionally, if the wheelchair needs to be collapsed, the
release of the cam lock 91 on each side of the wheelchair permits
removal of the wheelchair back 3.
The dual back clamper 21 is attached to the T-stock height
adjustment track 11 on the wheelchair back 3 and slides along the
T-stock height adjustment track 11 to allow wheelchair adjustment.
To secure the dual back clamper 21 to the T-stock height adjustment
track 11 on the wheelchair back 3, the dual back clamper 21
provides a pair of passages 27 through which bolts (not shown) are
inserted. When the wheelchair back 3 is positioned properly, the
bolts are tightened, thus clamping the second inset track 25 to the
T-stock height adjustment track 11. The back dual clamper 21 has a
relief or an slotted aperture 22, which permits the user to clamp
the dual back clamper 21 in place on the T-stock height adjustment
track 11. In this way, the wheelchair back height is locked into
place. The present invention also provides for a safety stop, such
as is shown in FIGS. 14, 15 and 16.
FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 show the safety stop 81, which has a T-shaped
inset 85 and is inserted over either of the T-stock height
adjustment track 11 or the T-stock tracks 77 to prevent movement
from a preset position. When the safety stop 81 is properly
located, a screw (not shown) is threaded through the aperture 83
and tightened, thus eliminating the potential for motion in that
direction. Frequently, the safety stops 81 are located on the
T-stock track 77 so that that a wheelchair can properly locate the
appropriate depth on the T-stock track 77 so as to not repeatedly
need to refit the depth of the wheelchair back. Additionally, the
wheelchair occupant is not permitted to push on the wheelchair back
so hard as to overcome the quick-release mechanism 91. The safety
stops 81 can also be located on the T-stock height adjustment track
11 on the wheelchair back 3.
The Compass.TM. mounting system 1 provides a single mount bracket
system used to secure a wheelchair back to a wheelchair cane. This
single mount system has many benefits, most important being that it
requires only about 2'' of space on each wheelchair cane. This
permits ample space along the cane for the use of other wheelchair
accessories such as pneumatic cylinders, respiratory aids,
positioning equipment and bags. Additionally, in the case of
wheelchairs having telescopic canes, use of the Compass.TM.
mounting system permits attachment of the mounts lower on the
canes, which is the strongest portion of the telescoping canes.
The single mount system also provides a large amount of adjustment
travel in five degrees of motion. By simply loosening the two bolts
(not pictured) in the threaded apertures 27, a wheelchair back can
be adjusted vertically a total of 6.8''. The Compass.TM. mounting
system 1 provides for quick and easy storage of the present
invention in that the wheelchair back can be removed by the
operation of two quick-release cam locks.
Lastly, the present mounting system provides for angle adjustment
of .+-.20.degree. by simply loosening two bolts on each side of the
wheelchair back 3. What is especially important about the
Compass.TM. hardware is that the patient does not need to be
transferred during any of these adjustments. Other systems require
the back to be unloaded. Each time a patient is transferred they
run the risk of injury in the fitting stage for patients about to
use a wheelchair as it alleviates the burden of transferring the
patient into and out of the wheelchair.
Although I have very specifically described the preferred
embodiments of the invention herein, it is to be understood that
changes can be made to the improvements disclosed without departing
from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood
that the scope of the invention is not to be overly limited by the
specification and the drawings, but is to be determined by the
broadest possible interpretation of the claims.
* * * * *